Like most entrepreneurs, Luke Skurman’s business idea was inspired by personal experience. During his last year of high school, he found it difficult to learn more about the colleges that interested him. He realized that university brochures, guidebooks and other resources did not provide enough information that could help graduating students like him make informed decisions.
Thankfully, he was able to find a good college, but never forgot the hassle he experienced looking for one. During his sophomore year, he decided to launch a book-publishing venture to offer insider information on 200 campuses around the U.S. He aptly called his company College Prowler, which is now the largest provider of online college content.
Coming from a highly entrepreneurial family, Skurman obviously had the entrepreneurial gene. His experience as an intern in a company with over 2000 employees pushed him further to the path of entrepreneurship; he realized that no matter what he did or didn’t do, he couldn't effect change at such a large, austere setting. He began to think of what he could start. He had many ideas, but he believed College Prowler was the best.
In a conversation with Skurman, Pittsburgh CityPaper writer, Dan Eldridge, asked why business excited him. The journalist suggested money, but Skurman was quick to point out that money was just a part of it. He said innovation, creation and the idea of actually helping people are the things that excite him most.
As a new entrepreneur, Skurman followed his guts and took advantage of the dot.com rise. Although he had no significant skills in engineering or technology, he knew what he wanted to do, and that is to help students pick the right college. He forged partnerships to cover the holes, and in time was able to come up with an effective system that fulfilled his goals.
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